CAPC Recommends
Screening dogs for exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi due to rapid geographic expansion of endemic areas.
In areas where Lyme disease is endemic or emerging, vaccinate dogs against Borrelia burgdorferi and reducing the risk of infection through year-round tick control and avoiding areas with ticks.
Diagnosing Lyme disease based on a combination of clinical signs, including arthritis and renal disease, and positive serology.
Veterinarians recognize that dogs can be sentinels for the risk of Lyme disease to people.
Species
Canine
Borrelia burgdorferi
Feline*
Borrelia burgdorferi
*Despite the common finding of antibodies reactive to B. burgdorferi in cats in endemic areas, natural disease caused by infection in cats—if it occurs at all—is poorly understood. Accordingly, little is known about the prevalence of infection, disease manifestations, and treatment recommendations for feline
Treatment
The standard treatment for disease caused by B. burgdorferi infection in dogs is doxycycline at 10 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 30 days.
Longer courses of treatment may be necessary in some dogs, particularly those with nephropathy. Prophylactic use of antibiotics following a tick bite is not recommended in dogs given the high frequency of exposure in the face of a relatively low incidence of clinical disease. However, continued monitoring of such dogs for future signs of infection or disease may be warranted.
Antibiotic treatment of a clinically normal, seropositive dog is controversial. Most seropositive dogs do not have any evidence of clinical disease. However, because the course of infection can be prolonged, treating in the subclinical phase is viewed by some veterinarians as potentially beneficial in preventing the development of chronic disease. Currently, CAPC recommends that seropositive dogs be tested for the presence of other, coinfecting tick-borne disease agents and for evidence of abnormalities on hematology or urinalysis and that a tick-control program be instituted. Antibiotic treatment of seropositive dogs in the absence of clinical or pathological abnormalities is not recommended. However, every conceivable precaution should be taken to minimize any chance that ticks could acquire B. burgdorferi from seropositive pets.
The veterinarians at Pet
Poison Helpline receive hundreds of calls this time of year from pet owners and
veterinarians concerning cats that have ingestedEaster lilies.
“Unbeknownst to many pet
owners, Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats,” saidAhna Brutlag, DVM, MSassistant director at Pet Poison Helpline. “All parts of
the Easter lily plant are poisonous – the petals, the leaves, the stem and even
the pollen. Cats that ingest as few as one or two leaves, or even a small
amount of pollen while grooming their fur, can suffer severe kidney failure.”
In most situations, symptoms
of poisoning will develop within six to 12 hours of exposure. Early signs
include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and dehydration. Symptoms worsen
as kidney failure develops. Some cats will experience disorientation,
staggering and seizures.
“There is no effective
antidote to counteract lily poisoning, so the sooner you can get your cat to
the veterinarian, the better his chances of survival will be,” said Brutlag.
“If you see your cat licking or eating any part of an Easter lily, call your
veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately. If left untreated, his chances
of survival are low.”
Treatment includes inducing
vomiting, administering drugs like activated charcoal (to bind the poison in
the stomach and intestines), intravenous fluid therapy to flush out the
kidneys, and monitoring of kidney function through blood testing. The prognosis
and the cost – both financially and physically – to the pet owner and cat, are
best when treated immediately.
There are several other types
of lilies that are toxic to cats as well. They are of the Lilium and
Hemerocallis species and commonly referred to as Tiger lilies, Day lilies and
Asiatic lilies. Popular in many gardens and yards, they can also result in
severe acute kidney failure. These lilies are commonly found in florist
bouquets, so it is imperative to check for poisonous flowers before bringing
bouquets into the household. Other types of lilies – such as the Peace,
Peruvian and Calla lilies – are usually not a problem for cats and may cause
only minor drooling.
Thankfully, lily poisoning does
not occur in dogs or people. However, if a large amount is ingested, it can
result in mild gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Other Dangers to Pets at Easter Time
Pet Poison Helpline also
receives calls concerning pets that have ingested Easter grass andchocolate.
Usually green or yellow in
color, Easter grass is the fake grass that often accompanies Easter baskets.
When your cat or dog ingests something “stringy” like Easter grass, it can
become anchored around the base of the tongue or stomach, rendering it unable
to pass through the intestines. It can result in a linear foreign body and
cause severe damage to the intestinal tract, often requiring expensive
abdominal surgery.
Lastly, during the week of
Easter, calls to Pet Poison Helpline concerning dogs that have been poisoned by
chocolate increase by nearly 200 percent. While the occasional chocolate chip
in one cookie may not be an issue, certain types of chocolate are very toxic to
dogs. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the greater the
danger. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest problem. The
chemical toxicity is due to methylxanthines (a relative of caffeine) and
results in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, an abnormal heart rhythm,
seizures, and possibly death. Other sources include chewable chocolate flavored
multi-vitamins, baked goods, or chocolate-covered espresso beans. If you
suspect that your dog ate chocolate, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison
Helpline immediately.
Spring is in the air and
Easter is a wonderful holiday. Remember that your pets will be curious about
new items you bring into your household like Easter lilies, Easter grass and
chocolate. Keep them a safe distance away from your pets’ reach and enjoy the
holiday and the season.
Dental health is a very
important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or
be caused by, other health problems. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be
checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a
problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
What is veterinary dentistry, and who should
perform it?
Veterinary
dentistry includes the cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction, or repair of
your pets' teeth and all other aspects of oral health care. These procedures
should be performed by a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist.
Subject to state or provincial regulation, veterinary technicians are allowed
to perform certain dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian.
The
process begins with an oral exam of your pet’s mouth by a veterinarian.
Radiographs (x-rays) may be needed to evaluate the health of the jaw and the
tooth roots below the gumline. Because most dental disease occurs below the
gumline, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are
performed under anesthesia. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental
plaque and tartar) and polishing, similar to the process used on your own teeth
during your regular dental cleanings.
Oral health in dogs and cats
Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by
your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth
healthy.
Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of
the following problems:
bad
breath
broken
or loose teeth
extra
teeth or retained baby teeth
teeth
that are discolored or covered in tartar
abnormal
chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
reduced
appetite or refusal to eat
pain
in or around the mouth
bleeding
from the mouth
swelling
in the areas surrounding the mouth
Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems,
and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your
veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a
painful animal may bite.
Causes of pet dental problems
Although cavities are less common in pets than in people,
they can have many of the same dental problems that people can develop:
broken
teeth and roots
periodontal
disease
abscesses
or infected teeth
cysts
or tumors in the mouth
malocclusion,
or misalignment of the teeth and bite
broken
(fractured) jaw
palate
defects (such as cleft palate)
Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in
dogs and cats – by the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely
have some early evidence of periodontal disease, which will worsen as your pet
grows older if effective preventive measures aren’t taken. Early detection and
treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe
problems and pain for your pet. Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your
pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal
disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.
It starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar
above the gumline can often easily be seen and removed, but plaque and tartar
below the gumline is damaging and sets the stage for infection and damage to
the jawbone and the tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal
disease is graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe).
The treatment of periodontal disease involves a thorough
dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the
disease. Your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist will make
recommendations based on your pet’s overall health and the health of your pet’s
teeth, and provide you with options to consider.
Why does dentistry require anesthesia?
When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done
is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques
to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you
accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not
understand the benefit of dental procedures, and he or she reacts by moving,
trying to escape, or even biting.
Anesthesiamakes
it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your
pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is
not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs
(x-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to get good
images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.
Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now
than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far
outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home the same day of the
procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.
What can I do at home for my pet’s oral
health?
Prevention of the most common oral disease in pets consists
of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth that
are not kept clean. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most
effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental
cleanings, and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic
dental cleaning by your veterinarian. Daily brushing is best, but it’s not
always possible and brushing several times a week can be effective. Most dogs
accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant – patience and training
are important.
There are many pet products marketed with claims that they
improve dental health, but not all of them are effective. Talk with your
veterinarian about any dental products, treats, or dental-specific diets you’re
considering for your pet, or ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.
Does your veterinary hospital have this logo proudly displayed on its walls? If so, you should take pride in knowing that you take your pet to an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital!
Unlike human hospitals, not all animal hospitals are required to be accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). What does accreditation mean? It means your hospital holds itself to a higher standard, and that your pet is receiving care at a hospital that has passed the highest standards in veterinary care.
